After a challenging start to their I-League 2 campaign, Sporting Clube de Goa are set to play their first home game of the season against KLASA FC at the Bambolim Stadium on Tuesday, February 11. Having collected just one point from their opening two away fixtures, the Flaming Oranje will be eager to secure their first win in front of their home supporters.
The Goan side faced a tough initiation into the league with a narrow loss in their opening fixture before earning a hard-fought draw in their second match. Despite the results, the team showed glimpses of attacking promise, having found the net in both games. Now, with home advantage on their side, Sporting Clube de Goa will look to capitalize on familiar conditions and turn their season around.
Head coach Armando Colaco acknowledged the challenges of starting with back-to-back away matches but remained optimistic about his team’s progress.
“It’s always difficult to play outside the state, but the positive is that we have scored in both matches and managed to grab a point,” Colaco said. “Now, we are looking forward to our first home game. The boys are ready, and we will give our best to secure all three points. We urge our fans to come out in large numbers to support us,” he further adds.
Colaco, who has vast experience managing Sporting Clube de Goa, understands the importance of building momentum early in the season and will look to instill a winning mentality in his players.
Sporting Clube de Goa captain Dattaraj Gaonkar echoed his coach’s sentiments and stressed the significance of playing in front of their home fans.
“It’s great to be back on home soil,” Gaonkar said. “The league has just begun, and we are settling into our rhythm. We are ready for our first home match and will give our best. I urge all our fans to turn up in large numbers and support us,” he adds.
KLASA FC, the visiting side from Manipur, have developed a reputation for being a gritty and disciplined unit. Their structured defense and counter-attacking style could pose a challenge for the home team. Sporting Clube’s backline will need to stay sharp against a side that thrives on exploiting gaps in transition play.
Sporting Clube de Goa’s Goalkeeper Abhimanyu Singh has been instrumental in keeping the team competitive, while Ivan Costa’s presence in midfield will be crucial. Doyal Alves’ attacking threat on the wings could be key to unlocking KLASA’s defense.
With the league table beginning to take shape, three points in this fixture would not only improve Sporting Clube de Goa’s position but also provide a morale boost as they aim to build consistency. A strong performance at home could be the turning point in their campaign, sending a statement to the rest of the league.
